WHPD town hall addresses areas of public concern

Police Chief Joseph Perno addresses the crowd as Police Commissioner Paul Butler looks on. The crowd had many questions fielded by Perno and city officials.

Approximately 70 citizens attended last week’s meeting at the West Haven Police Department to discuss topics ranging from staffing to residents’ concerns.

Chief Joseph Perno and several command ranking officers were available for a two-and-a-half-hour session., which included eight of 13 members of the City Council, two state representatives and all three Republican mayoral hopefuls.

Topics of conversation included, the July 3 fireworks, youth violence on the Boardwalk, traffic, illegal dumping, lack of police pensions, and continuing staffing issues.

Perno discussed the ongoing problem with staffing and the lack of a police pension plan that will retain hires in the local department.

The problem has been highlighted by the Police Commission and Perno over the years. The decision a decade ago to go to a 501(k) rather than stable pension has caused an exodus from the department once officers get enough experience to transfer elsewhere. Current staffing is below the minimum levels expected in a city and department of West Haven’s size.

When it came to other topics, the ongoing problem with after-hours activity at the city’s shoreline was discussed. The presence of an after-dark culture along the shore, particularly with homeless residents and others has plagued the area for years.

Police staff is overworked and understaffed.

Discussion veered into the possibility of a curfew for underage teens was suggested. That comes under the purview of the City Council, which would have to pass an ordinance in order to implement such a move.

Peron explained, while the beach is supposed to be closed at sunset city officials have not taken the steps to implement action after closing. In order to give some means of security, cameras and call boxes are planned for the near future.